Chopsticks Made with the Bridge City Chopstick Master

[GoingMyWay]

I took advantage of the Bridge City Tools closeout at Lee Valley recently.  This is a nice kit.

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I used the jigsaw table that I recently made to cut some chopstick blanks out of cherry and walnut.

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I made some chopsticks with both the included chopstick blanks as well as the homemade ones.

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[smorgasbord]

The scariest thing about making chopsticks is that suddenly almost every piece of scrap in the shop is not throw-away-able/burnable.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Yep.  The chopstick blanks are only 7mm x 7mm x 270mm.  I'm hoping to make a bunch as gifts for Christmas this year.

 

[sammy.se]

Cool.
What finish will you use?

 

[luvmytoolz]

Nice!

I'm sorely tempted by that kit, but it's a fortune here in OZ.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Cool.
What finish will you use?

I haven't applied anything yet, but I was planning on soaking them in mineral oil and then applying a coating of Howard Butcher Block Conditioner.

Nice!

I'm sorely tempted by that kit, but it's a fortune here in OZ.

I ordinarily wouldn't have bought it myself at the regular price of $279.95 USD, but the discounted price was $155 so I couldn't pass up a deal like that.

 

[Imemiter]

It's fun seeing someone take advantage of that sales price. Those look nice! 

 

[woodbutcherbower]

The scariest thing about making chopsticks is that suddenly almost every piece of scrap in the shop is not throw-away-able/burnable.

Wrong. The scariest thing about making chopsticks is the overwhelming realisation that you’re going to have to use them to eat chicken soup  [eek]

 

[GoingMyWay]

It's fun seeing someone take advantage of that sales price. Those look nice!

Thanks!

The scariest thing about making chopsticks is that suddenly almost every piece of scrap in the shop is not throw-away-able/burnable.

Wrong. The scariest thing about making chopsticks is the overwhelming realisation that you’re going to have to use them to eat chicken soup  [eek]

Eating the noodles and chicken from the soup might not be too bad, but the broth is a different story [big grin].  I did make an attempt at hand carving a spoon, but that hasn't gone too well so far.

 

[WillB]

Very cool, I was tempted too when I saw that sale... except I never use chopstix.
Other than chopsticks, I assume u can make any taper with it?
what is the width and length of the piece the holder can hold for taper?

I guess LV closed out BCT, just not selling well...

 

[WillAdams]

I suspect the closeout was more due to on-going sales by BCTW (which they seem to be doing so as to ensure a consistent cash flow? Just a guess, but if you look at the value of what's going up for sale based on the quantities offered that seems to be the case).

There are 3 different inserts available, the included one (for a standard taper), a second, more acute one (I think it's green? Mine is out on loan) and a third which lets one make straight pieces (for inlay) --- it's not possible to do arbitrary angles, though I guess one could make additional inserts for specific angles w/in the limitations of the machine geometry.

 

[ChuckM]

As soon as John sold his business, and all BCT tools became no longer made in the US, I knew a big part of the original herd of BCT customers was gone. When it comes to woodworking tools, don't underestimate the value of the Made in USA label. If Woodpeckers started to offshore its manufacturing, would people still be willing to pay the premium prices? Obviously not.

 

[rmwarren]

As soon as John sold his business, and all BCT tools became no longer made in the US, I knew a big part of the original herd of BCT customers was gone. When it comes to woodworking tools, don't underestimate the value of the Made in USA label. If Woodpeckers started to offshore its manufacturing, would people still be willing to pay the premium prices? Obviously not.

Not exactly arguing but I am curious on this. Made in China doesn't have the same negative connotation it did once, since mostly things are made on the same high end machines now. Granted there is still junk out there, but overall I think quality is darned good.

I have a fully loaded, never assembled JMP sitting in the boxes. It was an impulse buy, not sure if I'll ever use it. BUT, you can buy the Harvey equivelant now for

 

[rmwarren]

It's fun seeing someone take advantage of that sales price. Those look nice!

Thanks!

The scariest thing about making chopsticks is that suddenly almost every piece of scrap in the shop is not throw-away-able/burnable.

Wrong. The scariest thing about making chopsticks is the overwhelming realisation that you’re going to have to use them to eat chicken soup  [eek]

Eating the noodles and chicken from the soup might not be too bad, but the broth is a different story [big grin].  I did make an attempt at hand carving a spoon, but that hasn't gone too well so far.

Hollow chopstick = straw...

RMW

 

[GoingMyWay]

Hollow chopstick = straw...

RMW

HA, I hadn't thought of that!

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
Not exactly arguing but I am curious on this. Made in China doesn't have the same negative connotation it did once, since mostly things are made on the same high end machines now. Granted there is still junk out there, but overall I think quality is darned good.

RMW

I'm not referring to quality. Harvey's manufacturing capability is as good as. or probably better than BCT's. Harvey's table saws and dust collection systems have received great reviews even though they are not very common in North America. It's the perception that BCT is no longer the BCT when its goods were made in the US that set it apart from other imported tools and manufacturers. Here's another example. Many Lost Art Press stuff can be sold at the kind of prices it asks is simple because Chris Schwarz insists that from books to tools to gadgets to clothing be made in the US. He operates in a niche market, and so did John.

 

[rmwarren]

Snip.
Not exactly arguing but I am curious on this. Made in China doesn't have the same negative connotation it did once, since mostly things are made on the same high end machines now. Granted there is still junk out there, but overall I think quality is darned good.

RMW

I'm not referring to quality. Harvey's manufacturing capability is as good as. or probably better than BCT's. Harvey's table saws and dust collection systems have received great reviews even though they are not very common in North America. It's the perception that BCT is no longer the BCT when its goods were made in the US that set it apart from other imported tools and manufacturers. Here's another example. Many Lost Art Press stuff can be sold at the kind of prices it asks is simple because Chris Schwarz insists that from books to tools to gadgets to clothing be made in the US. He operates in a niche market, and so did John.

Fair point. In that regard it comes down to pride-of-ownership versus functionality. Assuming Harvey maintained quality, which I absolutely do, the function of the item hasn't changed.

I'm open to offers on the JMP2...  [smile]

RMW

 

[peter halle]

I have looked at the chopstick maker but it was far to away from what I envisioned I would use it for enough to justify.

I have some BCT items, but I'll really have to think twice or more before purchasing.  I am not worried about the quality.  I am worried about replacement parts and use items.  For instance, I bought a JS-7 saw prior to Harvey and would love to use it.  But you can't get replacement blades.  And sharpening those is probably not an option. 

Looks pretty though...

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don’t know about specific tools but many BCT tools had been made by Harvey for some years before the sale of the company.

Dowelmax is also made overseas.

 

[ChuckM]

I don’t know about specific tools but many BCT tools had been made by Harvey for some years before the sale of the company.

Dowelmax is also made overseas.

To clarify, John sold two different batches of some of the same tools, one made in China by Harvey, and one made in the US. They were priced differently (of course, the Made in the US ones cost more (30% more? I couldn't remember the exact difference)), and were also marked differently regarding where they were made. The Chopstick makers were one of them.